Literary Devices Poetry and Prose
Verse vs. Prose What is the different between Verse and Prose? Verse – generally a single line written with some type of meter; a single line of a poem, play Prose – the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure
Alliteration • The repetition of the initial consonant sound at the beginning of a word or syllable. Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
Allusion • A brief historical, literary, mythological or religious reference to a place, person or event that is outside of the story/poem. Example: Within a newspaper article about two young teens in Ohio who killed themselves, having a reference to Romeo and Juliet.
Assonance • The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds in a sequence of nearby words Example: Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geeks.
Atmosphere (Mood) • The prevailing feeling in a piece of literature (what the reader feels) • Created by diction, dialogue, setting, description
Cliche • An expression which has been overused so that it has lost its original meaning or effect. Example: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.
Colloquialism • Informal or conversational language • Inappropriate in any formal piece of writing Examples: Can’t
Diction • The deliberate choice of words to create a specific style, atmosphere or tone.
Foreshadowing • The use of clues or hints early in the piece of literature that help prepare the reader for what is to come. • Helps to arouse the readers’ curiosity, build suspense
Hyperbole • The use of extreme exaggeration for effect. Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
Imagery • Words that create a picture or a mental image in the mind of the reader by appealing to any of the five senses.
Imagery Exercise: Copy and fill in the chart below.
Irony • A literary device that creates a contrast or discrepancy between what is said and what is meant or between expectations and reality. • There are three common types:
Verbal Irony • When a character says one thing literally, but really means something else • Often called sarcasm
Dramatic Irony • When the reader has more information or knows more than the characters in the story.
Situational Irony • When something happens that is different from what is expected. • Readers are thrown a curve-ball.
Metaphor • A comparison between two things without using the words like or as. Example: Life is a highway
Extended Metaphor • A metaphor which is drawn out beyond the usual word or phrase to extend throughout a stanza, an entire poem, or a piece of prose
Onomatopoeia • Words the represent or closely resemble the sound it denotes Example: Boom, Sizzle, Snap, Pop, Bang, Buzz, Hiss, Meow
Oxymoron • Words that appear side-by-side, which seem to contradict each other Example: Jumbo shrimp, Bitter sweet
Paradox • A statement that appears to contradict itself Example: • "War is peace.""Freedom is slavery.""Ignorance is strength."(Orwell, 1984)
Pathetic Fallacy • A literary device in which nature imitates the mood/atmosphere/emotions of the characters or story Example: It was at that moment that he realized she was never coming back to him and he began to cry. Outside, the skies broke and rain began pounding on the windows.
Personification • Giving human characteristics to non-human things Example: The wind was screaming.
Pun • A play on words • A word or phrase with two meanings Example: “Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.” Romeo and Juliet(III/i/97 – 98)
Satire • A literary work that ridicules human vices or follies, often with the purpose of teaching a lesson or encouraging change.
Simile • A comparison between two things using like or as. Example: Brave as a lion.
Slang • Very informal and trendy vocabulary used by a specific social group (like teenagers) Example: Foss, sick…
Soliloquy • A speech (or monologue) where a character speaks his thoughts aloud to him – or herself. • Is used to divulge information to the audience or reveal a character’s true emotions. • Primarily used in reference to Shakespeare’s plays
Symbol • A symbol is an object, person, situation, action or some other item which has a literal meaning in the story, but which suggests or represents other meanings as well. It is usually something concrete standing for something abstract.
Tone • The author’s attitude towards his subject • Could be formal, informal, playful, humourous, serious
Understatement • The deliberate representation of something as much less in magnitude than it really is Example: “I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.” Catcher in the Rye
